File Photo: Mahatma Gandhi (Agence France-Presse)
South Africa, today, condemned the defacing of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Johannesburg four days ago and said the incident in no way reflects the views of the people or the government towards the global icon.
"The government and people of the Republic of South Africa condemn in the strongest sense the defacing/damaging of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Johannesburg on April 12, 2015.
"The incident is regrettable and in no way reflects the views of the people or the government of South Africa towards Mahatma Gandhi, a global icon who is revered not only in South Africa but also by the greater international community," South African High Commissioner to India FK Morule said.
The government's attitude and policy to all heritage sites including statues of former heroes like Mahatma Gandhi, among others was based on a national policy of reconciliation, nation building and social cohesion, he said in a statement.
A group of people threw buckets of white paint on the statue amid racist taunts.
"The diverse voices of all citizens of South Africa must be allowed to express themselves but guided by the law in our efforts to alter the national heritage landscape.
"Thus we neither support nor encourage the defamation or violent removal of any statue because we do not encourage people to take the law into their own hands," Mr Morule said.
Asserting that his country values the close relations with India, through economic, social and cultural ties, he said the peoples of South Africa and India have developed a strategic relationship that is indicative of the shared ideals and values we hold dear.
As a government and a nation we continue to know that the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi will inspire the coming generations of South Africans to strive for a life that is non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and which contributes to a better life for all, the statement said.